Modern Marriage and Family Rituals of Avars-Gidatlins: Traditions and Innovations

On the basis of field ethnographic material and general scientific methods, the article examines the rituals of the life cycle of one of the sub-ethnic groups of the Avars, the Gidatlins. The study of the forms of marriage, wedding, maternity and funeral rites, customs and beliefs of the Gidatli people showed the predominance of traditional elements in them, intensifying Islamic and some new rituals. Such syncretism is explained by the stability of traditional forms, the specifics of the Sufi trend of Islam practiced by the Gidatli people, the peculiarities of their ethnic psychology and mentality - conservatism and adherence to an established way of life. At the same time, under the influence of globalization and urbanization, some new customs were fixed in the household rituals of the Gidatly people, which were organically woven into their ritual culture.